I historically begin my Sexuality Schooling unit addressing myths about intercourse. I do that, though a few of these myths appear unbelievable – does anybody actually imagine that you could’t get pregnant you probably have intercourse standing up? Nevertheless, on this period of medical misinformation, and influencers in search of views and likes, it’s necessary for lecturers to handle a few of these myths. There are Tik-Tok creators pushing back against bogus science, and whereas I may not be as inventive as them, I’d prefer to suppose that my sex myths Kahoot goes a way in direction of serving to struggle the nice struggle*
I begin my sophomore sexuality schooling unit slowly by setting the scene for a productive quarter. I’m fortunate that I’ve my college students for a semester, so by the point we begin having conversations about copy, contraception, STI’s and so forth I’ve constructed relationships, created a superb classroom atmosphere, and (suppose I) know the way mature the category will likely be. The questions in the Kahoot enable me to handle some myths, but additionally foreshadow lots of our conversations and introduce some key messages in a lighthearted means.
The Kahoot is titled ‘seggs myths‘ and this isn’t a typing error. Some college students discover this and are conscious of my reasoning behind changing the phrase intercourse with seggs. Many on-line platforms use automated programs to filter out inappropriate materials. Whereas it is a good thought, it typically implies that intercourse educators discover their content material being hidden or faraway from searches. [Here’s What ‘Seggs’ Means When You See It on Social Media]
1. Intercourse schooling is necessary in all US public colleges. That is false. Intercourse schooling requirements fluctuate by state – with some not having any curriculum necessities in colleges. As of June 2022, 39 states plus Washington, D.C., mandate intercourse schooling, HIV schooling or each, according to Guttmacher Institute data. This reality permits me to level out that the expertise of my college students in Illinois will differ from individuals they meet in faculty. Not all college students get the identical expertise.
2. Teen being pregnant is on the rise within the US. That is false. In 2020, the teenager beginning price was 15.4 (births for each 1,000 females ages 15-19), down eight p.c from 2019 and down 75 p.c from the 1991 peak of 61.8. You can point out that teen beginning charges additionally fluctuate considerably throughout areas and states. In 2019, the bottom teen beginning charges have been reported within the northeast, whereas charges have been highest in states throughout the southern a part of the nation. [Trends in Teen Pregnancy and Childbearing]
3. STI’s are on the rise within the US. That is true. The 2020 STD Surveillance Report discovered that on the finish of 2020 reported instances of gonorrhea, syphilis, and congenital syphilis surpassed 2019 ranges. Declines in Chlamydia are seemingly as a consequence of decreased STI screening and underneath analysis in the course of the pandemic, reasonably than a discount in new infections. In 2020, over half (53%) of reported instances of STI’s have been amongst adolescents and younger adults aged 15–24 years.
4. Abstinence solely schooling is one of the best ways to stop each teen being pregnant and STI’s. That is false. Guttmacher Institute reviews that “all younger individuals ought to have entry to complete sexual and reproductive well being data that’s medically correct, LGBTQ-inclusive, and culturally and age applicable in order that they will make knowledgeable choices about their sexual habits, relationships and reproductive selections”. “Abstinence-only applications promote judgment, worry, guilt and disgrace round intercourse. These applications body premarital sexual exercise and being pregnant as wrong or risky choices with unfavourable well being outcomes and search to disgrace sexually lively younger individuals.“
5. Which of those is a advantage of receiving complete Intercourse Schooling? The entire above. In Three Many years of Analysis: The Case for Complete Intercourse Schooling, the next advantages of CSE are acknowledged: Lowered instances of kid intercourse abuse, safer areas for LGBTQ+ younger individuals, a discount in relationship violence. “Intercourse Ed” is a lot extra than simply “Intercourse Ed”.
6. Which of those is the simplest option to stop an STI? Abstinence. I would like college students and fogeys to know that abstinence continues to be the selection that I recommend for college kids. Lots of my college students aren’t bodily or emotionally prepared to have interaction in sexual exercise and but I do know that for a few of my college students it’s one thing that they’ve already skilled. That mentioned, after I share school YRBS data I can state that almost all of our college students usually are not partaking in intercourse. Abstinence stays the #1 selection for our college students, extra so at a youthful age. In my college I can transcend abstinence. I ship an abstinence-plus curriculum. I can share evidence-based and age-appropriate details about contraceptive choices and their effectiveness associated to being pregnant and sexual well being and might encourage a sensible strategy to wholesome behaviors and decision-making.
7. Utilizing two condoms as a substitute of 1 will increase safety from being pregnant or STI’s. That is false. Utilizing two condoms could cause friction between them, weakening the fabric and rising the prospect that the condoms might break. This query permits me to make use of the language of inside and exterior condom. Not all of my college students are conscious of each sorts of condoms.
8. Ladies who’ve intercourse with different girls can’t get pregnant so don’t want to make use of contraception. That is false. There’s just a few layers to speak about right here. Not all girls who’ve intercourse with different girls ONLY have intercourse with different girls, so in that occasion they could have to make contraceptive selections. Additionally oral contraceptives can cut back cases of heavy bleeding, irregular intervals, painful intervals, and menstrual cramps. [Sexual Minority Women and Contraceptive Use: Complex Pathways Between Sexual Orientation and Health Outcomes]
9. Solely folks that have a number of intercourse companions are susceptible to getting STI’s. That is false. Methods to scale back the danger of contracting an STI embody utilizing barrier strategies, getting examined for STI’s frequently, and likewise lowering the variety of sexual companions. That mentioned, even when somebody has solely had one sexual associate, that associate might have a illness. [What are the chances of having an STI?]
10. Oral intercourse is a secure means of exhibiting affection. That is false. This is a frequent misconception. Oral intercourse is safer in that there’s no danger of being pregnant however you may get STIs from genital contact, semen and vaginal fluids. In case your mouth is available in contact with an contaminated space, there’s a chance that you could get an an infection. Right here’s an opportunity for me to strengthen using barrier strategies for defense throughout oral intercourse.
11. So long as there’s no penetration, you don’t have to fret about STI’s. That is false. This query permits me to foreshadow STI conversations concerning strategies of transmission. STI’s are unfold by sexual contact with somebody who has an STD, this contains genital skin-to-skin contact. Genital herpes, syphilis, and human papillomavirus (HPV) are most frequently unfold by genital skin-to-skin contact. [STI transmission vis skin-to-skin contact]
12. If you’re allergic to latex you need to use different strategies of contraception however not condoms. That is false. Not everybody chooses the appropriate methodology of safety first time round. I let college students know that there are choices to be made concerning the suitability of every methodology and that this differs from individual to individual. Latex free condoms exist for these with a latex allergy. [What to know about allergy to latex condoms]
13. You’ll be able to’t get pregnant for those who use a condom. That is false. When used accurately each time, exterior condoms are 98% efficient. This means 2 out of 100 individuals will develop into pregnant in 1 12 months when exterior condoms are used as contraception. Nevertheless, consumer error happens for a variety of causes and this query permits me to ask college students “why would possibly a condom fail?”.
14. You’ll be able to’t get an STI for those who use a condom. That is false. See above. Whether or not you utilize inside condoms or exterior condoms, they’re each very efficient in stopping HIV and plenty of different STDs when used the appropriate means each time. Condoms could stop the unfold of different STI’s, like HPV or genital herpes, however solely when the condom covers the contaminated areas or sores.
15. STI precautions should be taken no matter who’s concerned. That is true. It doesn’t matter who’s concerned within the sexual exercise, and it doesn’t matter if that exercise runs the danger of an unplanned being pregnant. I inform my college students that to scale back the danger of STI’s they need to have open and trustworthy conversations with their companions concerning their sexual historical past. They need to focus on what they each need from that sexual encounter, and they need to focus on which barrier strategies they plan to make use of. [Condom and Contraceptive Use Among Sexually Active High School Students]
16. Pulling out earlier than ejaculation is a beneficial methodology of contraception. That is false. Withdrawal is the oldest form of birth control on the planet. Sometimes this methodology is efficient 80% of the time, and people are odds that my college students can’t afford to play. Plus, if they’re pulling out as a result of they need to stop a being pregnant, then they nonetheless run the danger of contracting an STI.
17. Emergency contraception can be utilized as much as 5 days after unprotected intercourse. That is true. Emergency Contraception (EC) can cease a being pregnant earlier than it begins. There are 4 sorts of EC to select from and so they all work as much as 5 days (or 120 hours) after unprotected intercourse. However use it sooner reasonably than later to scale back the opportunity of getting pregnant. [How does emergency contraception work]
18. One among these bodily fluids can NOT transmit HIV. Saliva. My college students in all probability know that HIV may be transmitted through blood, they could know that it may be transmitted by semen, however they in all probability don’t know that it may be handed on through breast milk. HIV cannot be contracted from saliva, or sweat, or tears. [What body fluids transmit HIV?]
19. Chilly sores are an STI. That is false. It is a query that usually will get requested at school and a real/false Kahoot query is just not one of the best ways to reply it. Oral herpes and genital herpes share similarities and variations. There are 2 totally different sorts of herpes simplex viruses (HSV-1 and HSV-2). HSV-1 often causes oral herpes, and HSV-2 often causes genital herpes — every pressure prefers to reside on its favourite space. Nevertheless it’s completely potential for each sorts of herpes simplex to contaminate both space. For instance, you may get HSV-1 in your genitals if somebody with a chilly sore on their lips offers you oral intercourse. And you may get HSV-2 in your mouth for those who give oral intercourse to somebody with HSV-2 on their genitals. [Oral and genital herpes]
20. You’ll be able to inform if somebody had an STI. That is false. This query permits me so as to add the phrase asymptomatic to my college students vocabulary. Many STI’s don’t have any indicators or signs, and might nonetheless be handed onto companions. At this level I reiterate the message that conversations about sexual historical past, barrier strategies, common testing, together with with every new associate are all methods wherein to scale back the dangers of STI transmission. [This Is How Often You Need To Get Tested For STDs, Based On Your Relationship Status]
21. All STI’s may be handled. That is true. STIs are quite common, and all STIs are treatable. Many are fully curable. Even STIs that aren’t curable may be handled and the signs managed with medicines. I would like college students to know that it’s potential to contract an STI and nonetheless reside a full life. [How to Reduce Shame and Stigma When You Have an STI]
22. All STI’s may be prevented. That is true. See abstinence.
23. All STI’s may be cured. That is false. Presently, there are 4 viral STI’s that aren’t curable: herpes, hepatitis B, HIV, and HPV. Individuals with an STI attributable to a virus will likely be contaminated for all times and might want to take steps to stop infecting their sexual companions.
24. Shaking or rinsing out sperm is an efficient option to stop being pregnant. That is false. This 3 minute video from ETR, covers some intercourse myths, together with this one.
25. Dad and mom have the appropriate to take away their college students from Intercourse Schooling lessons. That is true. I ship a letter dwelling letting households know the ethos of our sexuality schooling unit and an inventory of subjects and expertise to be lined. Some households would favor that this materials is taught at dwelling, or maybe it doesn’t align with their values or beliefs. For that motive they will ask to take away their baby. Usually, after extra communication, mother and father ask for a heads up concerning sure subjects and hold their baby at school for all however just a few conversations.
Debunking Common Myths About HIV
*The free model of Kahoot has many limitations and whereas I’ve tried to be as inclusive as potential with my language and examples, I acknowledge that the questions offered lean in direction of heterosexual relationships.
Right here’s that seggs myths Kahoot link for those who missed it.
